. >> that was -- they were, of course, clips referring to susan rice. to my ears that second clip sounds like what is known in military circles as a retreat. is that right? >> well, i think -- yes, it's right, martin, and senator mccain's retreat if that's what you want to call it, pretty good word, by the way, for this actually started a week ago sunday. this is the second sunday in a row where he is laying the groundwork for letting susan rice vhave her say if she's nominated. this seems prudent because carrying on a campaign against her when you don't know for sure if obama wants to nominate her can only go so far until something else happens. what senator mccain said two weeks ago is i think he wants an apology from her. that's the word he used. i don't know if he would get that because the administration says there's nothing to apologize for when it comes to ambassador rice. but, yes, change of tone, maybe a change of what his position will be when and if she's nominated. >> john, if i can finish with you, john, do you think that in light of what h